As of October 2, 2000, The Howard Stern Show has been dropped by WIHN. It could be related to the sale of the station to Rhode Island-based Radio Partners Inc., which is outlined below in bold.
from The Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal, Ill)
August 1, 2000
Although WJBC-AM has new hosts for half of its four main talk shows, Bloomington-Normal's top-rated radio station saw its ratings climb even higher during the spring.
The most impressive numbers came from a morning team that replaced local radio legend Don Munson in January. Scott Robbins and Nancy Thiel debuted with a staggering 31.4 percent share, five points higher than Munson's final numbers.
It ranks the new duo as among the top five rated morning shows in the country and helped WJBC reclaim sole possession of the No. 1 ranking in the Bloomington-Normal market. WJBC also remained the top-rated AM station in the country, said general manager Red Pitcher.
The numbers, compiled by Arbitron and supplied by local stations, come at a time when all five commercial stations in Bloomington-Normal adjust to new owners. But for WJBC -- and particularly its morning show -- it's as if nothing changed.
Robbins and Thiel had moderate success as the station's afternoon team. Munson often exceeded the 30-point share during his 35-plus years at the station. He scored a 26.5 last fall, his final ratings period. Robbins and Thiel lured just 13.1 percent of the afternoon audience last fall.
WJBC programming manager Elizabeth Estes-Cooper said the great ratings for Robbins and Thiel can be attributed to a transition that allowed them to occasionally fill in for Munson while he was on vacation. She said Munson's endorsement of the pair also helped.
"It wasn't like we brought in a whole new team that nobody knew," Estes-Cooper said. "I don't know that I had any huge expectations. But I started getting more excited just before the Arbitron numbers came out because I heard a lot of things on the street from people saying 'Boy, I love them.'"
Scott Laughlin and Colleen Reynolds, who took over for Robbins and Thiel, kept WJBC in third place during afternoons, scoring 11.7.
Citadel Communications bought WJBC and the Twin Cities' other two top-rated stations -- No. 2 WBWN-FM and No. 3 WBNQ-FM -- earlier this year. Officials have said no programming changes are likely for any of the three stations.
The sale of No. 4 WIHN-FM and No. 9 WSNI-FM to Rhode Island-based Radio Partners Inc. will be finalized in September. Ratings for each station dropped slightly during the spring.
Dan Hafey, the manager for both stations, said WSNI's light rock format likely will change, but still target the same audience.
He said no immediate changes are planned for WIHN, which carries Howard Stern's syndicated morning show.
Radio leaders
The top 10 radio stations in the Bloomington-Normal market based on spring figures of listeners age 12 and older compiled by Arbitron:
Rank/Station/Share 1. WJBC-AM: 17.6 2. WBWN-FM: 16.4 3. WBNQ-FM:14.5 4. WIHN-FM: 5.0 5. WGLT-FM: 4.4 (tie) WPBG-FM: 4.4 (tie) WPPY-FM: 4.4 7. WGLO-FM: 3.8 (tie) WWCT-FM: 3.8 9. WSNI-FM: 2.5 (tie) WGN-AM: 2.5 (tie) WLS-AM: 2.5
from the The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL)
May 19, 2000
BLOOMINGTON
Programming may change at B-N stations
New ownership for two Bloomington-Normal radio stations could mean new programming, too.
Michael Schwartz, president of Rhode Island-based Radio Partners Inc., hinted that format changes could happen when he takes over hard rock station WIHN-FM and light rock-oriented WSNI-FM later this summer.
Schwartz said he's not sure if he'll keep shock jock Howard Stern's syndicated morning show on WIHN. But he does plan to replace WSNI's satellite-fed programming with live personalities. As for changing the type of music each station plays, Schwartz said he has plans but won't disclose them.
"I like the (Bloomington-Normal) market very much," Schwartz said. "I think it's a tremendous growth market. It's not over-radioed."
The $3.1 million purchase from Peoria-based Kelly Communications will give Schwartz 10 radio stations in three markets. He also owns five stations in Muncie and Anderson, Ind., and has three stations in Tallahassee, Fla. He had as many as 30 stations at one time, before selling most of them in 1992.
For identification purposes, Schwartz will call the ownership of the Twin City stations Bloomington Radio Partners Inc. For example, the Indiana stations are officially owned by Indiana Radio Partners Inc.
--snips--
from The Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL
May 18, 2000
Pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission, Rhode Island-based Bloomington Radio Partners, Inc. will buy the two lowest- rated commercial stations among the five in the Twin Cities for $3.1 million, Kelly Communications owner Bob Kelly confirmed Wednesday.
It's uncertain if the recent sale will affect programming at hard rock-oriented WIHN or light rock format WSNI. WIHN also broadcasts shock jock Howard Stern's syndicated morning show. Officials with the new owners could not be reached for comment.
"It's an opportunity to sell the stations to a company that we believe will take them to the next level," Kelly said.
Peoria-based Kelly Communications has owned WIHN since 1995 and started WSNI in 1998. Kelly will continue to own four stations in Peoria. Bloomington Radio Partners Inc. could take over WIHN and WSNI as early as August.
from Pantagraph Online
Saturday, February 19, 2000
As expected, Don Munson went out on top. But the most recent Arbitron ratings show the longtime morning show host at WJBC-AM has some surprising company.
WBNQ's Top 40 music format has tied perennial talk favorite WJBC as the most popular radio station in the Bloomington-Normal market, according to rankings released earlier this week.
Driven by strong ratings from its morning and afternoon hosts, WBNQ grabbed a 16.0 share in the fall 1999 ratings period and matched WJBC for the first time in market history.
The distinction coincided with Munson's retirement last month after 35 years at WJBC. He earned a market-best 26.3 share in his final ratings period.
However, WBNQ's personalities weren't far behind, with two hosts in particular emerging with high ratings after a little more than two years working at the station. Maria Gilmore, who hosts the mid-morning show, earned a 21.6 share, while afternoon host Todd Chance scored a 19. Both won their time slots.
In addition, the Susan and Fasig morning show jumped from third to second in its time slot from last spring's rating period.
"We've been patient with the radio station and allowed it to mature and grow with the personalities," said Red Pitcher, general manager for WBNQ, as well as WJBC and third-ranked WBWN. "It takes a while to develop loyalty in an audience. The strength right now is great music and great personalities."
The ratings also suggest that WJBC was wise to drop Dr. Laura Schlessinger's syndicated afternoon show last fall in favor of Elizabeth Estes-Cooper's new local talk show. WJBC's ratings in the time slot nearly doubled among all ages and nearly tripled among listeners age 25 to 54.
In addition, Munson's replacements scored their best ratings for late afternoon. Now WJBC's morning hosts, Scott Robbins and Nancy Thiel climbed to a 13.1 share, nearly 10 points higher than former WLS rivals Roe Conn and Garry Meier broadcasting from Chicago.
Meanwhile, Howard Stern's syndicated morning show continued to give WIHN-FM a boost. Stern's ratings jumped from 2.2 last spring to 8.1 in the fall, among listeners 25-54.
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